Michael K. Williams cut from Han Solo spinoff amid reshoots

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Michael K. Williams' role in Disney's upcoming Star Wars film about a young Han Solo has been cut as the project undergoes reshoots with new director Ron Howard.

"I felt great about what I created with the directors that I worked with," the actor said to Deadline about the film's original helmers Phil Lord and Chris Miller who were booted off and replaced by Howard over "different creative visions" in June. "It is what it is."

"When Ron Howard got hired to finish out the film, there were some reshoot issues that needed to be done in regards to my character, in order for it to match the new direction which the producers wanted Ron to carry the film in," he continued.

Williams was unable to rejoin the production of the Han Solo film as he is in South Africa shooting spy drama The Red Sea Diving Resort alongside Ben Kingsley and Chris Evans. "They wanted me now; I couldn't go. So they had to clip-clip-clip," he said.

Williams still noted how he enjoyed his time on set and hopes to return to the Star Wars franchise in the future.

"I don't think that me not being in the Star Wars family is final," Williams said. "I left with a very good taste in my mouth about the whole family, and I hope that I left a good taste in their mouth. They're a great group of people, the Lucas family."

In a recent interview, Howard assured fans that the film is "coming along great" despite the change in directors.

"It's a fantastic script, a great cast and I am having a fantastic creative experience with it," he said. "It's a great young cast, incredibly strong -- smart, funny people who love their characters and love being part of this. I think we'll be able to do something that is a lot of fun."

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